Why Should You Invest in a Smart Energy Management System?

Until recently, the possibilities for storing energy in your home were very limited or nonexistent. What do you do when an ice storm knocks out power in your Stonington home? If power is out for more than a few hours, you might resort to a propane-powered generator. But that isn't the most eco-friendly or efficient solution.

Recent advances in battery technology have now made it feasible and cost-effective to store energy in your home. Why might you want to do that? If there's a power outage in an icy Connecticut winter, you can have your own source of energy. Moreover, these new systems are more than just a battery – they are intelligent energy management systems. They can help reduce your energy costs by storing power from the electric grid when it is abundant and cheapest, as in overnight hours. Electric utilities are also instituting energy management programs that are called demand response. These are ways to reduce power demand during peak times, which could be during a particularly cold Connecticut snowstorm or the occasional New England summer heat wave. Demand response allows utilities to control consumption by getting opt-in access from consumers to reduce their demand through control of smart thermostats and other means.

C&T Systems is ready for this new intelligent energy management future. We are proud to announce that we will be working with Sonnen, the leader in smart energy management systems. Why Sonnen? Because it is also the first product of its kind that can also be linked to smart home automation systems. With smart home automation and energy management systems working together, you can efficiently manage your consumption and prepare for the unexpected.

Keep reading to learn about the benefits of Sonnen energy management systems for your Connecticut property in the Stonington area or beyond.

Introducing Sonnen ecoLinx – Smarter Energy Management

Energy storage with batteries is often associated with solar power generation. Indeed, the Sonnen ecoLinx system is perfect for storing clean energy generated by solar. In Connecticut, solar is a viable option for efficiency in the summer, but we can never take advantage of the sun in the way regions of the Southern and Western U.S. can do. The beauty of the ecoLinx is that it can also intelligently store power from the electric grid, or even your emergency generator.

What do we mean by intelligent? Using advanced software, the ecoLinx automatically monitors a home's energy usage in real-time and can adjust consumption without reducing comfort. If the local utility is using different pricing for peak times, the system can minimize peak use and shift to stored power. If the home is equipped with solar panels, that clean, cheap energy can be intelligently used as well.

There’s more to the intelligence of the system. Smart weather forecasting can detect that severe weather is likely and store additional power in the battery to be prepared for an outage. When a power interruption hits, smart configurable backups can work with home automation software and intelligent circuit breakers to control how much backup power is disbursed, assuring that it lasts through an extended outage. The result is increased safety and comfort when the unexpected situation strikes.

Reducing Peak Demand

Demand response programs are methods that utility companies are using to reduce peak loads on the energy grid. There are various reasons for this. First, in many parts of the U.S., including here in the Northeast, the grid infrastructure is aging and is under stress. Second, peak usage times may require that additional plants are fired up to meet demand, and sometimes those are not the most efficient nor the cleanest sources of energy. The ability to intelligently reduce demand enables utilities to lighten loads and ensure power delivery to everyone - while minimizing the impact on the environment.

Intelligent energy management with Sonnen ecoLinx makes demand response easier. During peak times, the ecoLinx can disburse stored power intelligently without impeding comfort or convenience. When you pair the Sonnen system with your smart home automation setup, smart climate and lighting control systems work in tandem with the ecoLinx to ensure that a home functions normally while using energy wisely.

C&T is excited to offer this new smart energy management system to our customers here in Connecticut. To get in touch, you can either call (860) 875-2876 or fill out a short form on the page linked below. We look forward to assisting you!